Deciphering the role of Epstein-Barr virus in the pathogenesis of T and NK cell lymphoproliferations.

ABSTRACT: Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is a highly successful herpesvirus, colonizing more than 90% of the adult human population worldwide, although it is also associated with various malignant diseases. Primary infection is usually clinically silent, and subsequent establishment of latency in the memory B lymphocyte compartment allows persistence of the virus in the infected host for life. EBV is so markedly B-lymphotropic when exposed to human lymphocytes in vitro that the association of EBV with rare but distinct types of T and NK cell lymphoproliferations was quite unexpected. Whilst relatively rare, these EBV-associated T and NK lymphoproliferations can be therapeutically challenging and prognosis for the majority of patients is dismal. In this review, we summarize the current knowledge on the rol

SUBMITTER: Fox CP 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3180299 | biostudies-literature | 2011 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature